CENTERS, LLC

01/12/2026

Built first. Built to last. CENTERS, LLC was founded to do something no one else was doing in higher education. Build and manage recreation and student life facilities as strategic engines for campus success. Nearly three decades later, that same mindset still drives us. We do not just operate buildings, we build teams, careers, and experiences that shape how students, staff, and communities show up every day.

What makes CENTERS different is not a single program or one shiny initiative. It is how everything connects. Recreation, student centers, arenas, and events all run through one partner, one strategy, one accountable team. That bundled model reduces silos, strengthens financial stewardship, and creates consistent, high-quality experiences across campus. It also creates something just as important: real career pathways for people who want to grow in higher education operations. If you are the kind of person who likes solving problems, building systems, leading teams, and seeing the direct impact of your work on students and campus life, this is where you belong.

Explore open opportunities here: https://careers-centersusa.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1&searchPositionType=2049

01/08/2026

Growth continues to shape the direction of Campus Recreation at The University of New Haven. Under the leadership of Jessica Scibek, the department is expanding its reach through updated professional roles, the return of club sports, renovated spaces with new fitness equipment, and programming designed to increase participation. Just as important, the focus extends beyond facilities to strengthening student development opportunities and cultivating a workplace culture that supports wellbeing, leadership, and belonging across campus.

Recently featured in Campus Rec Magazine, Jessica shares how an unexpected career evolved into a long-term commitment to higher education. After starting as an exercise physiologist managing a corporate fitness center, a recommendation from a former professor led her into campus recreation. That pivot launched a 15-year career rooted in continuous learning, including earning a second master’s degree in sport management. She is now beginning her fifth year leading Campus Recreation at New Haven with CENTERS, LLC.

Like many leadership journeys, hers required stepping outside of what felt comfortable. Taking on a director role at a new institution meant recognizing she did not have all the answers and leaning into mentorship, collaboration, and trust in her team. That experience shaped her leadership philosophy. “There’s not just one right way to do things,” Jessica shared. “The best outcomes may come from drawing on the experience of others and being open to the perspectives and expertise of your team.”

For Jessica, the most meaningful accomplishments are reflected in student impact. Hearing from former students who still prioritize their health, or from interns who pursued careers in recreation because of her encouragement, reinforces the lasting influence campus recreation can have well beyond graduation. Jessica’s story highlights how strong campus leadership, supported by CENTERS, creates momentum that benefits students, staff, and the broader campus community. Read the full interview:

For our November/December 2025 issue, we spoke with Jessica Scibek, the director of Campus Recreation at the University of New Haven.

01/07/2026

In case you missed it, this update reflects how institutions are increasingly aligning strategy, delivery, and long-term operations to drive better outcomes. Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc., and Project Management Advisors, Inc., have joined forces to create a fully integrated, full-lifecycle program management platform. This alignment brings together front-end planning, real estate advisory, disciplined project delivery, and operational rigor in a way that reduces handoffs, improves decision-making, and strengthens accountability across the entire project lifecycle.

As Paul Brailsford, Co-CEO of B&D, shared in the announcement, “This is not about getting bigger, but about getting better, and in this case, better means providing the most comprehensively relevant capabilities to these industries.” That focus on relevance, depth, and client value is exactly what this partnership unlocks for CENTERS and the clients and communities we serve. For CENTERS, this partnership enhances our ability to deliver integrated, scalable solutions with strategic clarity and continuity, while preserving the trusted service and relationships our clients rely on.

Read the full announcement here:

The B&D PMA merger strengthens CENTERS operations, expanding integrated planning, delivery, and management for institutional projects.

01/06/2026

In early December, at Moraine Valley Community College joined campus leadership and a representative from the Chicago office of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for a check presentation celebrating the most successful Big Pink Volleyball Tournament and Fundraiser to date.

For the fifth consecutive year, FitRec and the Office of Student Life collaborated on this campus tradition, which reached a new milestone in 2025. Through a single-elimination volleyball tournament, t-shirt sales, and month-long donations, the campus raised more than $5,000 this year alone, the highest total since the initiative began. Since 2021, FitRec has helped raise more than $13,500 in support of breast cancer research and awareness.

We are proud to support programs that bring students, staff, and leadership together around causes that matter, strengthening campus connection while extending impact beyond the facility.

📸 Pictured (back row, left to right):
Kamlesh Sanghvi, Vice President of Information Technology
Esmeralda Diaz, Secretary, Code of Conduct & Student Life
Dr. Kiana Battle, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
Alex Rich, FitRec Facility Director
Marva Bruno, Code of Conduct Coordinator
Isaiah Perez, Student Life Manager

Front row (left to right):
Dr. Normah Salleh-Barone, Vice President of Student Development
Dr. Pamela J. Haney, President
Kent Marshall, Dean of Students & Compliance Officer
Katherine Koyak, Development Director, Susan G. Komen Chicago
Robert Huizenga, FitRec Associate Director of Operations

12/30/2025

12/18/2025

The next competitive advantage in higher education is not academic; it is operational. As institutions plan for 2026, campus leaders are asking more complex questions about performance, sustainability, and experience. The answers are increasingly found in how campus operations are structured, led, and executed. CENTERS, LLC delivers a professionalized, enterprise operating model that replaces fragmented oversight with integrated strategy, consistent service standards, and financial accountability. Across recreation and wellness centers, student centers, arenas, sports complexes, performing arts venues, and Event and Conference Services, our approach is built to scale performance while protecting institutional mission.

The results are tangible. Stronger financial outcomes. More stable and engaged teams. Elevated customer service. Clearer decision-making. This is not about doing more with less; it is about operating smarter with intention.

Our digital brochure provides a concise look at how professionalized campus operations create leverage across both mission and margin, and why institutions partner with CENTERS to lead in a more complex higher ed landscape. Explore the digital brochure and see how operations become a strategic advantage.

The only campus center management company that encompasses sports venues, recreation and wellness facilities, student centers, performing arts venues, conference facilities, and more.

12/17/2025

Why integrated Event and Conference Services matter at the enterprise level. At NACAS, C3X, Greg Ross, CENTERS, LLC, and Sean Ries, Cleveland State University, shared how Event and Conference Services are evolving from an operational function into a strategic enterprise asset. As campus leaders face increasing complexity, tighter resources, and rising expectations, integration has become a critical lever for performance and alignment.

At Cleveland State University, Event and Conference Services were unified under the CENTERS, LLC enterprise management model, aligning events, recreation, and venues within a single operational structure. This shift created more transparent governance, consistent service standards, improved cross-campus coordination, and a more substantial customer experience for both internal partners and the broader community. This model, highlighted in the CENTERS Benefits of Bundling case study, demonstrates how integrated operations support innovation, financial stewardship, and scalable growth. When ECS is positioned within the enterprise rather than as a silo, institutions gain greater visibility, accountability, and long-term value.

For leaders evaluating how to modernize campus operations, integrated Event and Conference Services represent a strategic opportunity to align mission, margin, and experience. Follow CENTERS for insights on enterprise campus operations and strategic service models.

12/16/2025

From Logistics to Leverage, Reframing Event and Conference Services. If your campus is hosting more events with the same or fewer resources, you are not alone. Many institutions are managing growing demand, rising service expectations, and complex event calendars with fragmented structures that were never designed to scale.

When Event and Conference Services operate in silos, the impact shows up quickly. Inconsistent service. Burned-out staff. Missed revenue. Limited visibility into performance and risk. CENTERS, LLC partners with institutions to reposition Event and Conference Services as an enterprise function. By integrating ECS into a unified operating model, campuses gain standardized processes, deep professional staffing, and clear accountability across the whole event lifecycle. This allows leaders to support conferences, internal programs, athletics, and community events without overextending internal teams.

As outlined in the article, campuses that adopt integrated or hybrid ECS models can:
- Scale staffing to meet peak demand without permanent overhead
- Deliver consistent, brand-aligned service across all event types
- Improve financial performance while protecting institutional mission
- Reduce operational risk through clear ownership and governance

For leaders responsible for auxiliaries, facilities, student affairs, or campus operations, ECS is no longer just a scheduling function. It is a lever for operational stability, financial stewardship, and institutional confidence. Read how campuses are rethinking Event and Conference Services:

Higher education institutions are navigating an increasingly complex financial and operational landscape. Budget constraints, shrinking resources, and rising expectations for self-sustaining operations are pushing institutions to rethink how they manage their conference and event services.

12/15/2025

Attention, ambitious professionals: CENTERS, LLC is hiring! Are you ready to take your career to new heights? Join our dynamic team where innovation, challenges, and pushing boundaries are the norm. We pride ourselves on being the best in higher education jobs, offering a platform for those who aren't afraid to take risks and make a difference.

View the full description and job details for each position on our website: https://careers-centersusa.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1&searchPositionType=2049

12/12/2025

“What an energizing week at the NIRSA/ACUI Marketing Institute! Grateful for the opportunity to learn, share, and connect with so many talented campus recreation and student affairs professionals.” - Matthew Schmiedl

Two big takeaways that stuck with Matthew Schmiedl & Mikayla C.: From the AI workshop: AI isn’t a distant possibility anymore—it’s here, and it’s already reshaping how we work. Ignoring it isn’t a neutral choice; it risks leaving us unprepared for the professional, operational, and strategic shifts ahead. Even if we have hesitations or resistance to using AI directly (such as through custom GPTs and AI-powered workflows), we can’t afford to look away. Staying curious, building AI literacy, and understanding how the technology is evolving ensures we’re not caught off guard and can make informed decisions for ourselves and our organizations. From the communication gap session: Expertise is a strength, but it can also create blind spots. Closing the “curse of knowledge” gap means intentionally framing messages so audiences understand not just what we say, but what we mean.

Proud of the conversations happening across the field and excited to bring these lessons back to our work with CENTERS campuses

12/11/2025

Campus sports venues do more than host games. They influence recruitment, drive school pride, shape community partnerships, and strengthen the overall campus brand. As expectations rise and facilities carry more responsibility, campuses are asking a critical question. How do we operate these venues with the discipline, strategy, and consistency they deserve? Our team partners with colleges and universities to elevate venue performance through integrated operations, revenue strategy, and a service model that puts students and guests at the center.

Today’s sports venues function as multi-dimensional assets. They support varsity athletics. They serve intramurals and club sports. They generate revenue through third-party events and community rentals. They host tournaments, showcases, graduations, and campus traditions. Because of this complexity, the most successful institutions are moving to a professional management model. CENTERS brings the systems, staffing structure, and operational discipline needed to manage high-traffic, high-expectation facilities. We streamline scheduling. We optimize event flow. We ensure clear communication among athletics, recreation, events, and campus partners. We protect priority needs while unlocking new opportunities.

Key strategic advantages include:
- Campus-wide coordination that aligns athletics, recreation, and external event stakeholders
- Facility scheduling models that prevent overlap and maximize access for students and athletes
- Revenue strategy that transforms downtime into profitable events and community partnerships
- Professional training and service standards that elevate the fan and guest experience
- Operational practices that reduce risk, protect assets, and support long-term capital planning

Venue streamlining improves communication between athletics and recreation. Service excellence boosts the fan experience and increases return attendance. Revenue models diversify income without compromising student use. When sports venues run this well, they create a stronger campus ecosystem. Enrollment impact. Alumni engagement. Community trust. Institutional pride. All move in the right direction. Learn more about the CENTER'S approach:

Learn how strategic management of campus sports venues boosts operations, drives revenue, and aligns facilities with institutional goals.

12/05/2025

Are your messages landing the way you intend? In higher ed marketing and campus recreation, even strong campaigns can fall short when we assume our audience sees what we see. Today, at the NIRSA and ACUI Marketing Institute at 9:40 am CST, Closing the Communication Gap: Combating the Curse of Knowledge, CENTERS’ Matthew Schmiedl and Mikayla C. from Cleveland State University will share insights grounded in public health communication and campus engagement strategy.

What you will learn in this session:
- How to identify the gap between what you know and what your audience understands
- The impact of message framing and how it reduces confusion
- How to align communication goals with stronger, more strategic materials
- Key behavior theories that influence perception and action

Attendees will leave with practical tools that simplify, clarify, and strengthen messaging across all campus-facing channels.